One of the best things to do in Osaka is to embark on a food tour. It’s Japan’s kitchen, after all. Spotting random food stalls around the city for some gastronomic experience may sound exciting, but nothing beats joining a food tour in Osaka.
If you are looking for the best food tours in Osaka, Japan, you are in the right place. And if you prefer to have a self-guided food tour, don’t worry because, at the end of the article, we will give you some advice on where and what to eat in Osaka.
1. Dotonbori Food Tours
A lot of food tours in Osaka center around Dotonbori — the heart of the city. As home to so many restaurants, cafes, bars, and specialty shops, it actually comes as no surprise. While you can just proceed to Dotonbori and roam around to find some local delicacies, it’s not as easy as having someone local to walk you through the hidden alleys to find the best-tasting foods around the area. Most food tours in Osaka last for about three hours, and they will bring you to places that offer different specialties like takoyaki, okonomiyaki, kushikatsu. Depending on the food tour, your food might either be at your own expense or included in the tour fee.
2. Osaka Street Food Walking Tours
If you want to eat like a local in Osaka, there’s no other perfect Osaka food tour to join than street food walking tours. In Osaka, Japan, street food tours are the best way to experience the city’s main highlight. Basically, how it usually works is you will be roaming around major food spots in the city on foot while your guide takes you through the history of the city. It’s an incredible experience because you're hitting two birds with one stone — enjoying Osaka’s local delicacies and seeing some of the most popular tourist attractions in Osaka. Depending on which Osaka food tours you are in, you may visit places like Dotonbori, Hozenji Yokocho, Kuromon Market, Shinsekai, or Tempozan Marketplace.
3. Kuromon Market Food Walking Tours in Osaka
And if you are looking for a food tour in Osaka that specifically goes to Kuromon Market, you are doing it right. Kuromon Market is a pretty popular source among locals and chefs for fresh produce, seafood, meat, and cooking utensils. Hence, Kuromon Market food walking tours in Osaka abound. Food stalls lined up the market where you can watch local owners and cooks create your food. Some stalls have available tables and chairs for you to sit down and dig in. Some local Osaka foods to eat that you will find here include takoyaki, okonomiyaki, yakiniku, fugu, and kushikatsu.
4. Osaka Self-Guided Food Tour
If you want to explore your own food tour itinerary, you surely need some help. With the right information, you will be able to embark on a gastronomic adventure pretty smoothly. We highly recommend staying in the Dotonbori area where most local delicacies can be found. Some food places you should find are Dotonbori Konamon Museum for some konamon goodness, Mizuno for family-made okonomiyaki, Daruma Kushikatsu to taste some iconic kushikatsu, Imai Honten Dotonbori for udon, and Kinguemon for Dotonobori-style ramen. We also recommend visiting Hozenji Yokocho and Kuromon Market for random food and drink hunts.
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